Ryokan Nakamuraya

The building's old, but it's clean and the staff are friendly. The food's excellent.

We came during the three-day Marine Day holiday as a group of five families, 19 people in all. We caught lots of fish on a fishing boat, and made some great memories. It's a guesthouse, so there aren't toilets in the rooms, but the shared ones are clean and Western-style. There's a small shared fridge. You can borrow an outdoor washing machine for swimsuits, and there's a box for getting sand off. Bring your own detergent. The landlady and her wife were both very clean and worked hard.

I stay in hotels more than 50 nights a year. This time I chose this place because the reviews promised a good-value combination of swimming and a tasty fish meal. I was already doubtful about those claims, and my hopes were dashed quickly. The women who showed me around seemed gloomy. At the entrance I got a forced, indifferent “Welcome,” but no “Please,” and no friendly guidance. I wasn't sure whether I should take off my shoes. I tried to tell myself that good food would make up for it. A sashimi poster in the lobby showed a generous spread, which raised my expectations, but dinner's sashimi was pale and sparse, perhaps a fifth of what the poster showed. Even mountain inns serve more impressive meals. With the sea right there, it was hard to believe. Dinner otherwise consisted of a small bowl of fried potato halves and four kinds of fish to grill myself. The only rice was a small cold rice ball in plastic, apparently left over from breakfast, with nothing else added. I wondered whether they thought that would satisfy an adult. The portion wasn't enough to fill me, even five times over. I felt mocked, and wish I'd taken a photo to post. Breakfast was just as meager. I finished in ten minutes, thinking even a beef bowl restaurant serves more, and went back to my room. At 7:30, the lights in my room and the hallway, which I thought I'd left on, had been switched off. While I was away, the tiny futon, like a child's size with my feet sticking out, had been put away, along with the kettle and teacup set, which hadn't even had ice in it. Nothing like this has happened to me before. I was shocked and angry that the inn seemed to put its own convenience ahead of guests. I didn't feel treated like a person. It was rude and inconsiderate, and I still wonder what the owner looks like. I think fake reviews may be widespread, so I wouldn't trust the positive ones. It would help if ratings allowed more than just 1 to 5. This was the first inn where I've felt so deceived. It's the worst I've stayed at, even compared with places overseas. They shouldn't advertise it as a fisherman's inn. The listing and photos fooled me, and it felt like a moderate scam. It's the sort of uncomfortable place that makes you want to leave early. I can't name a single good point. The towels were worn and frayed, and there were no yukatas or raw vegetable salads at breakfast or dinner. There was no air conditioning in the hallways, which were hot, and the stairs were steep and hard to climb. The restroom by the dining area had no towels or paper towels for drying hands. The staff were gloomy and didn't greet us. They seemed to avoid facing customers, and were barely around. The place was silent. The cashier, probably the owner's wife, didn't make eye contact or say much. She stood at the back of the entrance with a blank expression and quietly said “Thank you” without any sense of gratitude. She didn't see us off, though I wasn't expecting that. I'm amazed a place like this exists in the Reiwa era, and wonder whether they feel any guilt taking money from guests and the lodging industry. Their lack of consideration is hard to understand. It wasn't worth the price. Even 5,000 yen would be too much. The management felt awful and greedy for profit. The food and service weren't just unpolished, they seemed neglected. It was embarrassing that they sell fish. The business's family-run nature could easily include basic greetings and smiles without taking much time or money. The owner's excuses sound like corner-cutting. I've stayed elsewhere since, and the quality and service exceeded my expectations, so I'd use those places again. I don't know when I'll get this terrible inn out of my mind, and don't want future guests to have the same experience. The whole stay was a string of unbelievable moments. The price, portions, quality, and attention to detail were worlds apart from the neighboring Shintani Ryokan.

The building looks old, but the inn's interior was very clean and I felt comfortable staying there. They had proper COVID-19 measures in place. I especially liked that the baths could be booked for private use at certain times, which helped me unwind after traveling. I mentioned my food preferences in advance, and they happily adjusted things and prepared a meal I really enjoyed. I think it's a reasonably priced ryokan that also feels welcoming if you're visiting for the first time.